The St. Joseph Jokers suffered through a rough season in the standings but replenished their Farm System in 2022 with the addition of Baseball America's top prospect Gunnar Henderson as well as the selections of Gabriel Moreno, MJ Melendez and Kyle Wright. GM Rick Steen now holds nine of the top 44 selections in the 2023 Reserve Draft and has started to inform teams looking for deals that the club is unwilling to part with any of their first six selections in the first two rounds (1, 9, 24, 25, 27, 29).
The club holds three selections (36, 39, 44) in the 3rd Round and could leverage those selections in off-season deals to bring in some help for their Keeper Roster. Steen is reportedly focused on trying to bolster their starting rotation, making them a logical trade fit with the Lunatic Fringe, Cloverdale Clovers, Lake Merced Goutfish and Maltese Falcons who are deep at the position.
The 2023 RDBL Season officially opens on February 1st when trades and player movement can begin.
Around the RDBL
- The Jokers face a logjam at catcher on paper entering Spring Training with the trio of Gabriel Moreno, MJ Melendez and Joey Bart all set for primary starting roles for their respective MLB clubs. Bart could be the one that is expendable according to sources with the Jokers likely seeking big league talent in return to add to their Keeper Roster.
- The Lake Merced Goutfish have had multiple clubs reach out on first baseman Matt Olson (2/$46) who is expected to be moved this off-season. One of those teams is the Lunatic Fringe according to sources, a club that is loaded with starting pitching options but is looking to upgrade their offense before Spring Training. Goutfish GM Ryan Atkinson is reportedly seeking draft picks in return for Olson.
- The impending release of outfielder Bryce Harper from the Mt. Diablo Devils adds another stellar name to the best Free Agent Class in RDBL History. While there will be a strong market for Harper, the Meinert Hops have emerged as a potential match according to sources. With Shohei Ohtani having the ability to fill two positions on the Active Roster, GM Garrett Shelley could leverage Ohtani into a SP spot and fill out their final hitting position with Harper according to those familiar with their thinking. Harper (elbow) had surgery late in 2022 and is expected to return around the All-Star Break in a DH capacity.
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